ridicule

noun

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rid·i·cule | \ ˈri-də-ˌkyül

Definition of ridicule

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the act of ridiculing : derision, mockery

ridicule

verb

ridiculed; ridiculing

Definition of ridicule (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to make fun of

Other Words from ridicule Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More About ridicule

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Synonyms for ridicule

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

Choose the Right Synonym for ridicule

Verb

ridicule, deride, mock, taunt mean to make an object of laughter of. ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling. consistently ridiculed everything she said deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule. derided their efforts to start their own business mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference. youngsters began to mock the helpless wino taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge. hometown fans taunted the visiting team

Examples of ridicule in a Sentence

Noun She didn't show anyone her artwork for fear of ridicule. the early efforts by the suffragists to obtain voting rights for women were met with ridicule Verb The other kids ridiculed him for the way he dressed. They ridiculed all of her suggestions.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Li Guangman appears to be a pseudonym and has attracted some portion of ridicule from Chinese netizens. — Anne Stevenson-yang, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021 But on the major league field every night, this team had a low bar to clear to remain in obscurity instead of being the subject of ridicule. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 21 Aug. 2021 Initial reaction to the new policies was generally more positive than the May announcement allowing couples to have up to three children, which was greeted largely with ridicule and complaints about the cost of raising children. — Stella Yifan Xie, WSJ, 20 July 2021 In the ensuing uproar, the university police arrested and charged the students with ridicule on account of race. — New York Times, 6 June 2021 Fans responded not with flag-waving applause but with ridicule. — Chris Lamb, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2021 This is the most recent of Gohmert’s forays into climate science that have captured national attention and prompted ridicule. — Raga Justin, Dallas News, 13 Aug. 2021 This caused so much ridicule a first offense became a 50-game suspension a year later, and that eventually grew to the current half-season. — Star Tribune, 16 June 2021 The duo's decisions, however, have yielded plenty of justifiable ridicule. — Michael Middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb It’s one thing to ridicule a state or to make claims against its residents. — Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 Mar. 2021 Colleagues would ridicule those wearing outfits considered too flashy or too shabby for the wearer’s place in the corporate food chain. — New York Times, 2 Aug. 2021 In a press release Monday, Sen. John Cornyn used clips from media coverage of the Democrats to try to ridicule them. — Emily Caldwell, Dallas News, 27 July 2021 The measure, proposed by Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, comes as Republicans continue to ridicule Whitmer over a controversial trip to Florida to visit her ailing father. — Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 19 May 2021 One of Washington’s guilty pleasures during the coronavirus crisis has been watching Room Rater critique and sometimes ridicule the Zoom backgrounds of politicians, journalists, and influencers, especially Republicans. — Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, 6 Apr. 2021 Mr Rigby may have been driven to ridicule the census by irritation at the intrusiveness of its questions, which were nosier than previously. — The Economist, 20 Mar. 2021 Critics won't hesitate to ridicule a trial that tells jurors about Floyd's love for his family but not his crimes. — Albert W. Alschuler, Star Tribune, 18 Mar. 2021 In my experience, both gay and straight communities frequently ridicule those of us who identify as bisexual. — Christian Weissmann, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ridicule.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.